Area Officers In Group Briefed By Bush

September 06, 1989|By DAN DeWITT and DAVID CHERNICKY Staff Writers

Hampton Police Chief Pat G. Minetti was one of about a dozen law enforcement officials at the White House on Tuesday to hear President Bush unveil his anti-drug plan in person, several hours before Bush's televised address.

A Poquoson police officer, George N. Austin Jr., an official with the national Fraternal Order of Police, is among a group scheduled to meet with Bush this afternoon.

Following Tuesday's briefing, Minetti called the plan a "very sophisticated approach."

The plan represents a change in the federal policy, he said, in that gives money to eradicate drugs in every segment of society.

The $7.9 billion program will not only fund stronger enforcement, by subsidizing expanded law-enforcement agencies, court facilities and penal institutions. But it also focuses in on the users.

"Whether they are heavy users or recreational users, they will be held responisible for their actions," he said.

Minetti attended as president of the National FBI Academy Associates, one of 15 organizations that form the National Law Enforcement Council. The council met with Bush in the Roosevelt Room, according to Don Baldwin, the council's director.

Drug czar William Bennett was with Bush.

"The package will be strongly supported by all law-enforcement administrators," Minetti said.

It calls for more drug testing of people in sensitive jobs and a crackdown on people who grow marijuana at home, he said.

Minetti is one of three persons from Hampton invited to the White House since Bush took office. Hampton's Mary Bicouvaris was honored for being Teacher of the Year and Hampton University President William Harvey has been to the White House to discuss educational issues with Bush and staff.